The
following government proclamation was published in the Polynesian
[Honolulu] September 14, 1861:

PROCLAMATION!
Kamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian Islands.

BE IT
KNOWN,
to all whom it may concern, that we, Kamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian
Islands, having been officially notified that hostilities are now
unhappily pending between the Government of the United States, and
certain States thereof styling themselves “The Confederate States of
America,” hereby proclaim Our neutrality between said contending
parties.

That Our neutrality is to be
respected to the full extent of Our jurisdiction, and that all captures,
and seizures made within the same are unlawful, and in violation of Our
rights as a Sovereign.

And be it further known, that
We hereby strictly prohibit Our subjects, and all who reside or may be
within Our jurisdiction, from engaging either directly or indirectly in
privateering against the Shipping or Commerce of either of the
contending parties, or of rendering any aid to such enterprises
whatever; and all persons so offending will be liable to the penalties
imposed by the laws of nations, as well as by the laws of said States,
and they will in no wise obtain any protection from Us as against any
penal consequences which they may incur.

Be it further known, that no
adjudication of prizes will be entertained within Our jurisdiction, nor
will the sale of goods or other property belonging to prizes be allowed.

Be it further known, that the
rights of asylum are not extended to the Privateers or their prizes of
either of the contending parties, excepting only in cases of distress or
of compulsory delay by stress of weather or dangers of the sea, or in
such cases as may be regulated by Treaty stipulation.

Given at Our Marine Residence
of Kailua, this 26th day of August, A.D. 1861, and the
Seventh of Our Reign.KAMEHAMEHA